BOSTON (AP) — Rob Refsnyder has learned just how fleeting opportunities are in the major leagues, bouncing around to five different teams in seven seasons.
The 31-year-old is already feeling like his sixth stop in Boston is the one he’s been waiting for.
Refsnyder hit a two-run homer in the third inning to help the Red Sox post their third series sweep of the season, powering past the Detroit Tigers 6-2 on Wednesday night.
In just 10 games, Refsnyder has 11 hits in 27 at-bats with five RBIs.
“So many parts of my career early on I wasn’t excited or happy with how I was playing,” he said. “I think the Red Sox really believe you get to the big leagues, you’re not a finished product, you can keep getting better. … They have really been helping me develop still at 31. Lucky to have that.”
Jarren Duran and Alex Verdugo each added a two-run double as Boston won for the eighth time in 10 games. Michael Wacha (6-1) pitched six innings, allowing two runs and five hits with seven strikeouts to help the Red Sox improve to a season-high eight games above .500.
“He gave us what we needed,” manager Alex Cora said of Wacha, who has held opponents to a .125 batting average with runners in scoring position.
Javier Báez hit a two-run homer for the Tigers, who have lost nine of 11.
Tarik Skubal (5-5) lasted 4 2/3 innings and allowed six runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts. He has lost his last three starts.
“You want to salvage a win. We jumped out ahead today and couldn’t finish the game in the positive,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.
Báez put the Tigers in front in the first, driving Wacha’s first-pitch fastball into the seats above the Green Monster for his sixth home run of the season. It extended his hitting…
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